The Volkswagen Motorsport has big time celebration when on Sunday, February 10th, the team of Sébastien Ogier[driver] and Julien Ingrassia[co-driver] (F/F) has achieved the most challenging and impressively maiden victory of the Rally Sweden at the FIA World Rally Championship 2013, at the most dependable wheel of Volkswagen Polo R WRC – the 315 horsepower World Rally Car from Wolfsburg. They have created a maiden No.1 leading position throughout the 22 stages, each of distance of 338.91 kilometers and covering a total distance of 1,589.78 kilometers, in the tough condition of Scandinavian with icy snow and against the strong contenders including 9 times world champion Sébastien Loeb[Citroën].
The Rally Sweden brought 8th victory of Sébastien Ogier in the WRC and this year with more impressive result of 11 best times from 22 special stages by the pairing of Ogier and Ingrassia. The success marks was made by Ogier in the qualification round on Thursday, by achieving the quickest time to finish seven places ahead of the many times world champion Loeb(Citroën), who finished the rally 41.8 seconds behind the Ogier(Volkswagen), while the other team from Volkswagen Motorsport with the pairing of Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) have good performance fourth place, in the second Polo R WRC and added more to the overall achievement of the Volkswagen Motorsport in WRC 2013. Sébastien Ogier joins multiple world champion Sébastien Loeb as only the 2nd winner of the “Rally Sweden” to come from outside of Sweden, Norway and Finland. Loeb was the first to break the Nordic countries’ stranglehold in 2004.
The best engineer work is done by Sébastien Ogier’s car engineer Gerard Jan de Jongh – the Dutchman has waited 7 years for his first WRC victory as the engineer responsible for the Polo R WRC and on Sunday his dream came true.
Sébastien Ogier won the Power Stage, which made him move ahead in the overall 2013 WRC standings by getting extra World Championship points for the drivers who finished first, second and third. And after 2nd 2013 WRC of Rally Sweden, Sébastien Ogier now leads the Drivers’ Championship by 46 points which is 3 points ahead of Loeb(43 points).

The next rally of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship is scheduled from 7th to 10th March in Mexico, will be centred around León.

Please read the press release for more details about the rally and Volkswagen Motorsport team quotes.
Auto Press Release 2013VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS MAIDEN VICTORY IN WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPA milestone for Volkswagen in motorsport: Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia (F/F) have won the Rally Sweden at the wheel of the Polo R WRC. In doing so, Volkswagen has already far exceeded its own expectations of what is the team’s debut season in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). In only its second competitive outing, the 315-hp World Rally Car from Wolfsburg emerged triumphant on the Scandinavian ice and snow against strong opposition – including nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb (Citroën).
“Eleven best times from 22 special stages – Ogier and Ingrassia led the overall standings right from the word go, and refused to be shifted from the top spot until they reached the finish on Sunday afternoon. Ogier set the foundation for the success in qualification on Thursday, when he clocked the fastest time to finish seven places ahead of the multiple world champion. Loeb eventually ended the rally 41.8 seconds behind his fellow Frenchman. Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) finished fourth in the second Polo R WRC to complete an outstanding team result for Volkswagen.
A special win: Sébastien Ogier’s eighth victory in the World Rally Championship
Sébastien Ogier and Volkswagen’s win at the Rally Sweden will take a special place in the history books of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC): Ogier’s eighth success is only the second by a central European at the Rally Sweden since 1950. Up until now, the event had been won almost exclusively by Nordic drivers – Sébastien Ogier joins multiple world champion Sébastien Loeb as only the second winner of the “Sweden” to come from outside of Sweden, Norway and Finland. Loeb was the first to break the Nordic countries’ stranglehold in 2004.

Ice, snow and cold – extreme weather, unique conditions
The Rally Sweden is one of a kind on the calendar of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). It is the only rally held exclusively on ice and snow. The teams use special Michelin “Sweden studs” and the winter specs for the World Rally Cars at the Rally Sweden, as well as special Castrol oils for the engine, gearbox and differentials. The Polo R WRC was surprisingly strong in the extraordinary conditions in Sweden: in total, the car picked up 28 top-three results over the course of the 22 special stages.
Power Stage turns the balance: Ogier takes over at the top of the World Rally Championship
Sébastien Ogier won the so-called Power Stage, which is making its first appearance this season, to move ahead in the overall WRC standings. Extra World Championship points are up for grabs for the drivers finishing first, second and third. Ogier now leads the Drivers’ Championship, three points ahead of Loeb.
The next round of the World Rally Championship takes place from 7th to 10th March in Mexico, with the rally centred around León.
Quotes, Day Three of the Rally SwedenJari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“I am delighted for the entire Volkswagen team. To win a race so early in a debut season is something very special. I would have liked to finish on the podium myself. That was certainly possible here at the Rally Sweden with the Polo R WRC. However, I must still adapt my driving style a bit. Huge compliments go to my team-mate Sébastien Ogier, who showed just what was possible. He was really impressive all weekend. I will do everything in my power to get on a par with him at the forthcoming rallies.”
Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“That is an indescribable feeling! We were screaming with joy in the car. It is simply incredible to claim the first victory for Volkswagen and the team at only our second rally. This is probably the greatest moment of my career. The Polo R WRC was perfect the entire time. The guys did a fantastic job of preparing the car. So much can happen in Sweden. The conditions in the snow are so difficult – winning here, as only the second central European and ahead of the best rally driver of all time, makes me enormously proud. We had to give 100 per cent, right down to the final day, because Sébastien Loeb was really going for it right through to the finish. I feared that he would make up more time this morning, particularly on the opening ‘Mitandersfors’ stage. However, that was not the case. Now I am just overjoyed.”
Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“This is a big day for Volkswagen in motorsport. To win the second round of the World Championship under our own steam is a real milestone. The Rally Sweden is one of a kind. The Polo R WRC worked perfectly in these conditions, and Sébastien Ogier took full advantage. He was in a class of his own here. However, Jari-Matti Latvala also performed well. Within the team, all the cogs fit into place perfectly. Today I am just very proud of the guys.”

And then there was …
… Sébastien Ogier’s car engineer Gerard Jan de Jongh. The Dutchman has waited seven years for his first WRC victory as the engineer responsible for the car. Today that dream came true. However, de Jongh will not be up all night partying – he has been down with a bad dose of the flu since Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia crossed the finish line.

One Response to Volkswagen Motorsport’s Ogier and Ingrassia won a stunning victory at Sweden Rally of FIA WRC 2013

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